Damion Crawford to represent PNP in East Portland by-election

People’s National Party (PNP) Vice-President Senator Damion Crawford has been approved to represent his party in the impending by-election in East Portland. The seat was left vacant due to the recent murder of PNP Member of Parliament Dr Lynvale Bloomfield.

Following the executive committee’s decision, Crawford was immediately congratulated and endorsed by aspirant, attorney-at-law Andrea Moore, who said, “Damion and I will be campaigning vigorously together to ensure victory for the People’s National Party”.

“There will be no divide here, it is one mission – victory for the PNP,” she emphasised.

This evening’s approval of the senator follows extensive consultations by the party within the constituency, including discussions with the Constituency Committee, elected councillors and the Regional Executive Council.

In making the announcement a short while ago, Julian Robinson, general secretary of the PNP, said “the party’s campaign machinery would be fully engaged to support Comrade Crawford and the team to retain the constituency, which has been loyal to the PNP for over 30 years in seven consecutive general elections”.

The executive further expressed its confidence that the people of East Portland are getting a candidate who would be rigorous and articulate in his representation of the people’s issues, and expressed appreciation to Moore for her stance and offer of unqualified support to Crawford. The executive noted that it was not the first time she was making the sacrifice in giving up her desire to represent East Portland in the interest of party unity and saluted her loyalty, unwavering support and her eagerness to campaign for victory.

The constituency of East Portland will be the second to be represented by Crawford. He represented the constituency of East Rural St Andrew in the House of Representatives between 2012 and 2016. He has also served as minister of state for tourism and entertainment.

He did not seek re-election in 2016 and has since served as a member of the Upper House and the PNP’s shadow minister for youth. He won the vice-presidency of the PNP in September 2018, amassing the largest number of delegate votes.

Crawford is a lecturer in marketing at the Mona School of Business, The University of the West Indies, Mona; a businessman; and a partner in the egg company, Crafton Holdings, which won last year’s JMEA Award for best new manufacturer, as well as the Buy Jamaican Award.